Bloggers and fanzine writers from all Gary Speed's former clubs remember a
midfielder whose playing career spanned 22 years and explain why he will be
so fondly remembered by the clubs' supporters.

The reason Gary Speed was so well loved by fans from every club he played for is quite simple – he worked harder than every other player on the pitch.

He was never the most talented member of any squad he played in, least not the 1991/92 title winning Leeds United side, but his attitude, hard work and determination more than made up for any shortfall he had in natural ability.

Football to this day, is predominantly a working class sport. The success of the sport derives from the escapism it provides for hard-working every day folk, who have spent their week grafting away in jobs they hate, counting the minutes until their team kicks off again.

When Saturday comes, the last thing we want to see is some over-groomed youngster, more interested in the lifestyle football provides than putting in the kind of effort required to fully realise their potential. Gary was the complete opposite of that, he didn't seem to care much for the lifestyle and he worked tirelessly to exceed the natural ability he was blessed with, thoroughly deserving of every modicum of success he had.

Gary Speed was a fans player. A normal, everyday bloke whose hard-work and determination propelled him to a level few can reach.

Like the plucky non-league side knocking Premier League giants out of the FA Cup, Gary Speed was a testament to how far hard-work and determination can take you. I only hope that in death, aspiring young footballers understand why this man was so special, and that Gary's career teaches them the value of hard work.

As well as being a proud Welshman he was also a proud Evertonian, and fellow Blues, be they players, managers or just supporters, will stick together and look after our own, and we did with Gary.

He said it was a dream come true to play for the club when he signed in 1996 and he played like it, contributing to an exciting young side that promised so much, but ultimately delivered so little.

Not that any of that was Speed's fault, who was a worthy leader in the heart of midfield, leading by example and driving the team forward. I actually feel he advanced as a player during his time at Goodison, adding more goals to his game – maybe that was due to the pride of him playing for his boyhood club?

My personal memories of him include his hat-trick in a 7-1 win against Southampton, a headed winner in a vital relegation clash with Spurs and a late, late equaliser at the Kop end at Anfield in the Merseyside derby – guaranteeing him legendary status among Everton fans!

He left the club under a cloud in early 1998 and I remember, as a child, being devastated his departure at a time when the side was struggling and needed him most. But in the fullness of time it emerged that he took the flak for his departure – the true reasons for which we may never know – in order to preserve the reputation of the club he loved. And for that he earned even more respect among Everton supporters.

Indeed, many saw him as a potential future Everton manager and it is so sad that we will never have the chance. He will always be remembered fondly.

Despite joining Bolton at the age of 34, Gary Speed went on to become a central figure and sometimes captain of the best Wanderers side we've seen in recent years. Bolton qualified for UEFA Cup football in 2005 and 2007 respectively, with Speed an almost ever present in both of those campaigns.

In a team featuring the likes of Nicolas Anelka, El-Hadji Diouf, Ivan Campo, Kevin Nolan and Kevin Davies, Speed gave our midfield experience and solidarity and he was always good value for popping up with a goal, a knack which he had throughout his playing career.

There was no doubting his ability on the field, but since his death, tributes have been flooding in regarding Gary Speed, the man. Speedo always came across as a down to earth guy, one who would stop in the street if you asked him for an autograph. On Sunday morning, the world became a worse place when the news of his untimely death became public knowledge.

Gary Speed was a huge fans favourite at every club he ever played for and it comes as no surprise to see flowers and messages of condolence being left outside their stadiums for one of the best British midfielders of his generation.

It’s incredibly difficult when an individual is asked to speak for the whole fan base and it’s something we’d never normally claim to do.

However, on this issue we’re pretty convinced that we can confidently speak for every fan connected to Sheffield United when we say that we were aghast at the sad news of the passing of Gary Speed, a former club captain and manager.

Every message we’ve read, every person we’ve spoken to and every pundit or former player has expressed the same emotions – shock and sadness – at the loss of a lovely man and a role-model of a football professional.

The high regard in which he was held by all those who met him or saw him play shows that the football community is a poorer place for the loss of a man no one had a bad word to say about, which is sadly a rarity in today’s game.

We count ourselves fortunate to have encountered Gary in person a number of times, including the day he made the step from player to manager.

Other than the respect you couldn’t fail to feel towards a talented, dedicated, model professional, he also came across as genuine individual. He had time for fans, media and fellow professionals alike and has been an inspiration to many, many people.

Although his time with the club was short, many people are immensely proud that he once wore the red and white stripes of Sheffield United.